Electric-arc lamp.



w. s. WEEDON. ELECTRIC ARC LAMP. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 12, 1904. RENEWED APB. 'I, 1906.

Patented July 6, 1909 Inventor W il Ham 5. Weedon,

Titt'y.

WILLIAMS. WEEDON,

or SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK,

COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

PATENT. oFFrou.

ASSIGNOR 'TOTGENERAL ELECTRIC ELECTRIC-ABC LAMP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J uly e, 1909.

Application filed March 1?,1904, Serial No. 197,832. Renewed April 7, 1906. Serial No. 310,475.

To all whom'it may camera:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM S. WEEDoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, county of Schenectady, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Arc-Lamps, of which the following is a s e'cification.

When are light e ectrodes are formed of or contain large amounts of some material, such as titanium carbid, the arcing end of'the electrode may become more or less covered with a film or layer of material formed by the are which is non-conducting when cold.

The object of. my present invention is the provision of novel and efiicient means for starting an are from such an electrode.

In carrying out my invention 1 provide means for starting an are from the side of the electrode some distance from its arcing end and then transferring the arc to theend of the electrode. With a negative electrode giving a flaming or luminous are a non-consuming positive electrode may be employed.

. on are lamps filed jointly .by

In the drawings forming a part of the present specification I have shown my invention emp oyed in connection with such an electrode. The various features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with articularity in the claims annexed to and orming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of my invention, however,reference may be made to the accompanying drawings and description in which I have'illustrated and described one embodiment of it... y Y r Of the drawings, Figure 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly diagrammatic illustrating an arc lamp equipped with my invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a portion of the non-consuming electrode-carrier provided with my arc-starting device; Fig. 3 is an elevation showing a portion of the mechanism; Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation illustrating a detail; Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 3 showing the parts in a different position; and Fig. -6 is a pers ective view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modi ed construc- My invention may be advantageously employed in connection with the lamp shown and described in an application for a patent Richard Flemin" and Cromwell A. B. Halvorson, Jr., on

a? 16th day'of' Nov. 1903, the serial number of which is 181,332, though it is not limited to use in connection with any particular form of lamp.

The mechanism shown in Fig. 1 is substantially the'same as that shown in the application above noted except as it is modified )y the addition of my present invention.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents a platform forming a part of the frame work of the lamp. A conical member 2, forming a part of the draft tube or chimney of the lamp, has its upper and smaller end secured to and insulated from the under side of the platform 1 in any suitable manner. A metal shaft 3 is journaled in diametrically opposed openings formed for the purpose in the conical member 2 near its lower end. For convenience in removing the shaft the portions which pass through the wall of the member 2 may which are detachably secured to the main portion of the shaft. A sector shaped part or member 5, which may be integral with the shaft 3, extends near one of itsiends. The lower and wider end of thepart 5 carries at one side a pair'of transversely extending projections 6 and, 7

A block 8 formed of some material which is conducting and with which it is easy to form a good electrical contact is pivotally mounted between the extensions 6 and The block 8, which is preferably formed of carbon but may in some cases beformed of gra hite, copper or other material, is roughly L-s aped in cross section, as is clearly shown in Fig. 41 The main portion 9 of the block is nornhally substantially perpendicular to the member 5, being held in that position by the engagement of the downwardly extending portion 10 of the block with the lower end of the member 5. The under surface of the portion 9 is substantially cylindrical about the shaft 3 as an axis. The lower part of the portion 10 is enlarged.

A lateral extension 7, from the projection 7, has detachably secured to its outer end a suitably formed block or member 11 preferably formed of wrought copper. A screw 11 may be employed to securev the block 11 in place. Instead. of relying upon simple contact for electrical connectlon between the be in the form of screws 4 at right angles therefrom platform 1.

. ing or luminousarc such as titanium carbid.

the member 2. The member 5 and the von a rod 22 extending upward from the platductors secured at their ends to said portions. The "parts are so arranged and proportioned that, when the mechanism is in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 1 block 11 is in line with the axis of the conical member 2. In the position of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 the portion 10 of the block 8 appears somewhat to the left of, and the center of the portion 9 substantially in line With, the axis of blocks 8 and 11 may be regarded as forming the positive electrode of the lamp or the member 5 may be regarded as a frame in which are mounted the block 11 forming the 7 main non-consuming positive electrode of the lamp, and the block 8 forming an auxiliary starting electrode.

A collar 12 which may be adjustably secured to the shaft 3 near one of its ends has secured to it one end of a bent crank arm 13.

A portion of the arm 13 extends through an arc-shaped slot 13' formed for the purpose in the wall of the conical member 2. The outer end of the arm 13 is link-connected to a U-shaped armature 14 which with its cooperating winding 15 is mounted above the To the under side of the armature 14 is secured one end of the pawl 16 of a clutch 16, the yoke of which surrounds a vertical tubular member 17. The lower end'of-the tubular member 17, which slides on a suitably supported guide rod 18, carriesan arm. 19 at the outer end of which is formed -a socket in which the negative consuming electrode 20 is held. The parts are so proportioned and arranged that the electrode 20 is in line with the axis of the conical member 2.

The electrode-2O is preferably formed out of or contains some substance giving a flam- When the electrode is formed of or contains titanium carbid it should preferably be coated with metal such as copper.

When the windings 15 are energized in the manner hereinafter described the armature 14 will be raised and the clutch 16 will engage the member 17 and move the electrode 20 into engagement with the under sideof the portion 9 of the block 8 which will then be oscillated about the shaft 3 into the position'shown in Fig. 5 by the link-connectlon between it and the armature. The engagement of the upper end of the electrode with the under side of the portion 9 of the block 8 will tilt the enlarged lower part of the portion 10 into engagement with the side of the electrode as shown in Fig. 4. When the clutch 16 is in the position, shown in Fig. 1 its yoke rests upon the upper surface of a stop 21 adjustably mounted shown in Fig. -1. are connected to a suitable source, current form 1. Under these circumstances the member 17 is free to move through the;

clutch 16. The pawl 23 of a clutch 24 is normally held in engagement withthe member 17 by the action of a spring 25, the upper end of which is secured to a cross part 26- which connects the rods 18 and 22.\

When the member 17 is raised the clutch 24 will move upward with it until the pawl 23 strikes the lower surface of the stop 21 after which the member 17 will move through the yoke of the clutch 24. In the position shown in Fig. 1 the pawl 23 rests against the upper side of a stop 27 also secured to the rod 22. In this position of the pawl 23, the member 17 is locked between the pawland the yoke.

of the .ClllliCh 24 and is thereby prevented from moving downward.

The circuit arrangements of the lamp and its operation may be understood by reference to Fig. 1, in which 30 and 31 represent the lamp terminals. A conductor 32 connects the terminal 30 to-the electrode 20. One terminal of'the windings 15 is also connected to the terminal 30. The other terminal of the windings 15 is connected to a contact member 33 by a conductor 34. The contact member 33 is carried by an armature 35 pivotally mountedon a core 36 of an electro-magnet 37. When the electro magnet 37 is deenergized the contact 33 is in engagement with a contact member 38 but when the electro-magnet 37 is energized the contacts are separated. The contact member 38 is connected by a conductor 39 to one terminal of a resistance conductor 40, the other end of which is connected to the terminal 31. A conductor 41 connects one terminal of a voltage coil 42 with the line 39, the other terminal of the Voltage coil 42 being connected to the conductor 34. A conductor 43 connects the lamp terminal 31 withlon e end of the winding of the electromagnet 37. The other end of the Winding of the magnet 37 is'in electrical connection with the conical member 2 and thereby. with the member 5 and blocks 8 and 11.

The pivoted armature 44 cooperating with the Volta e coil 42 carries a contact 45 which is norma ly separated from but is adapted under some circumstance to engage the con tact 46 carried by the core of the magnet. A conductor 47 co frmects the contact 45 to the line 43. A conductor 48 connects the contact 46 with the lower terminal of the winding of the electro-magnet 37. v

The out-of-service condition of the lamp is When the lamp terminals will begin to flow from terminal 31, through resistance 40, conductor 39, contacts 38, 33, conduct-r 34, through coils 15, to terminal 30. The passage of current through the winding 15 will cause the armature 14 to be raised. This will move the electrode 20into contact with the under side of the portion 9 of the block 8, which will then be oscillated vl U into the osition shown in Fig. 5. The parts are usually so proportioned that the electrode 20 will clear the portion of the block 8 as it moves upward. When the upper end of the electrode 20 engages the under side of the portion 9 of the block 8 the block 8 will be tilted and the lower and large part of the portion 10 will be forced against the side of the electrode 20, as shown in Fig. 4, at a point far enough below its upper end to insure freedom from the resence of non-conducting material formed y the arc. Current will then begin to flow between the electrode 20 and the portion 10 through a circuit which starting from terminal 31 includes conductor 43, coil 37, block 8, portion 10 of that look, electrode 20, and conductor 32 to terminal 30. The assage' of current through the winding of t e electro-magnet 37 will cause the armature 36 to be oscillated and thereby separate the contacts 33 and 38. When this occurs the winding will be deenergized, the electrode will begin to de scend, and the block 8 start back to the position shown in Fig. 3.

then to the block 11 as the movement of separation continues. The heat produced by this are will soon cause the end of the electrode 20 to become conducting after which the arc will extend from the upper end the engagement of the pawl 23 with the sto he voltage coil 42 is so proportioned that for ordinary arc lengths the current passing through its winding will be insufficient to attract the armature 44. When, however, the voltage of the arc increases to a predetermined maximum the current passing through the winding 42 will cause the armature 44 to be attracted and thereby bring the contact,

46 into engagement with the contact 45. This throws alow resistance shunt comprising the conductor 47, contacts 45 and 46 and conductor 48 about the winding of the elec tro-magnet 3-7, whereupon the contact member 33 will move into engagement with the contact member 38 and close the circuit through the winding '15. The electrode 20 will then be again moved into engagement with the under side of the portion 9 of the block 8, after which the arc will again be struck in the manner hereinbefore described. The feeding operation will be repeated whenever the voltage of the arc rises above a predetermined maximum thus compensating for the consumption of the electrode 20.

It will be readily understood that when each feeding action takes place the clutch 24 will move with the tubular member 17 until the pawl 23 strikes the under side of the stop 21 after which the member 17 will be moved through the yoke of the pawl 24 an amount equal to the length of the electrode consumed since the previous feeding operation.

With the construction employed it will be observed that the lower end of the portion 10 of the block 8 is positively forced against the side of the electrode 20 with a pressure (proportional to the lifting action of the Win ing 15 on the armature 14. This can be adjusted to obtain any desired amount of pressure. As the block 8 can be made quite massive, and as the arc extends from it only for a short time during each feeding interval, its consumption will be very slow. With the construction employed, however, renewal of the block can take place whenever necessary.

As the under surface of the portion 9 of the block 8 is substantially cylindrical about the axis of oscillation of the member 5, there is no tendency to a wedging or lockin action between the electrode 20 and the lock 8 when they move together. It will also be readily observed that by this arrangement the same length of arc will be drawn at all times during the feeding of the lamp. Thus, if the electrode 20 has been consumed but little, when the lamp feeds, its upper end will come into contact with the portion 9 of the block 8' at a point near the extension 7; whereas if the electrode 20 has been consumed to a greater extent the engagement between the electrode 20 and the portion 9 takes place at a point nearer to the extension 6 than in the previous case. In both cases, however, the length "of the are obtained is the same, since the under surface of the portion 9 is substantially cylindrical about the axis of oscillation of the member 5 and the electrode 20 will fall the same distance in the two cases, said distance being determined as hereinbefore described.

When the block 8 is formed of carbon or similar material of the same eneral character, impingement of the en of the electrode 20 against the under side of the block 8 can frequently be relied u on to start the flow of current between the lock 8 and the electrode 20, even though the electrode tip be covered with a film or layer of material which is practically nonconducting when cold. This result may perhaps be due to particles or granules separated from the lock 8 of carbon by the impingement entering into minute cracks or fissures in the films or layers of non-conducting material covering the end of the electrode; or it may be due to other causes. Owing to this fact the use of the portion 10 of the block 8 under some circumstances becomes unnecessary and the portion may be dispensed with. In Fig. 6 I have shown a construction in which a block 8, substantially like the portion 9 of the block 8 shown in the other view of the drawings, is rigidly secured between the extensions 6 and 7 of the member 5.

While in the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings I have described and illustrated the best forms now known to me in which my invention may be embodied I do not consider that my invention in its broader aspects is limited to any particular form.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In an arc lamp, the combination of a movable frame carrying a block of carbon and a block of copper, a consuming electrode, and means actuating the frame and the consuming electrode for causing an arc to start between the consuming electrode and the carbon block and for maintaining it between the consuming: electrode and the copper block.

A 2. In an arc lamp, a pivoted block of carbon, an electrode, and means for causing one portion of said electrode to be impinged against one portion of said block to turn the latter about its pivot and thereby force another portion of said block into contact with a different portion of said electrode.

3. In combination, an electrode, a pivotally mounted L-shaped block of carbon, and means for causing an engagement between one leg of the carbon block and the end of the electrode so as to oscillate the block upon its support and thereby the other leg of the carbon block against the side of the electrode.

4. In an arc lamp, an electrode, a movable frame carrying a metal arcing portion and a non-metal arcing portion, means for moving said non-metal arcing portion into line with said electrode to start an are between the two and for thereafter moving said nonmetal arcing portion out of line with said electrode and for moving the metal arcing portion into line with said electrode whereby an arc is maintained between said electrode and the metal arcing portion.

5. In an arc lamp, an electrode, a movable frame or member provided with two surfaces from which an arc may extend, means for movin one of said surfaces into line with said e ectrode in order that an arc may be started between saidsurface and the electrode and for thereafter moving the other of said surfaces in line with said elec-- trode in order that an arc may be maintained between said other surface and said electrode. 7

6. In an arc lamp, an electrode, a movable frame or member, a inetal block carried thereby, a second block also carried thereby, means for moving said second. block into line with said electrode to start an are between said second blook and said electf'ode and for thereafter moving said frame to bring said metal block into line with said electrode.

7. In combination, an electrode, a movable frame, a block of carbon and a block of copper carried thereby, means for causing an engagement between the carbon block and the electrode in order that an arc may be started between them and for thereafter moving said. frame to cause said are to be maintained between the copper block and the electrode.

8. In an arc lamp, an electrode, a movable frame carrying a block of carbon and a block of copper, said blocks being electrically connected, and means for actuating the frame for causing an arc to be started from the carbon block and to be maintained between the electrode and the copper block.

9. In an arc lamp, an electrode comprising a movable frame and a block of carbon and a block of copper carried thereby in fixed relation to the carbon block, a feeding mechanism, and a connection between said feedin mechanism and said frame.

10. 11 an arc lamp, an electrode comprising amember provided with a main arcing portion and an auxiliary arcing portion in fixed relation thereto, said portions being formed of different materials, a second electrode, and means for causing a movement of said electrodes relative to each other to first start an arc between said auxiliary arcing portion and said second electrode and to then maintain said arc from said main portion.

11.. In an arc lamp, an electrode comprising a frame carrying. a copper arcing portion and a carbon arcing portion in fixed relation to the copper portion, a second electrode, means for causing an engagement between said second electrode and said carbon arcing portion to start an arc and for] thereafter causing, a relative movement between said frame and said electrode to cause the arc to be maintained from the copper arcing portion.

able frame carrying a block of carbon and a 12. In an arc lamp, an electrode, a mov- I block of copper, and means for moving the frame to bring first the carbon and then the copper into proximity to said electrode.

13.-In an arc lamp, an electrode, a metal block, a second. block, and means for first bringing the said second block and said electrode together to start an are between them and then moving said second block away from said electrode and said metal block toward said electrode whereby the arc will be gsliusfid to be maintained from said metal 00 feeding mechanism, and a connection 14. In an arc lamp, a movable electrode having a main arcing portion formed of copper, and in fixed relation thereto, an auxiliary arcing portion formed of carbon.

15. In an arc lamp, a pivoted frame carrying a main arcing portion formedvof copper, and an auxiliary arcing portion formed of carbon pivotally connected to. said frame.

16. In an arc lamp, a frame oscillating about an axis, and a carbon block connected thereto, the under surface of said block being cylindrical with r espect to the axis about which the frame oscillates.

17. In an arc lamp, an electrode mounted to oscillate about an axis,and a block of carbon carried thereby and mounted to turn about an axis located in a plane perpendicular to the axis about which the electrode oscillates.

18. In an arc lamp, a main electrode oscillating about an axis, and an auxiliary electrode carried by said main electrode and mounted to oscillate about an axis in a plane perpendicular to the axis about which the main electrode oscillates.

19. Inan arc lamp, an electrode comprising a movable frame and a metal arcing portion and; a non-metal arcing portion carried thereby in fixed relation to each other, a

tween said feeding mechanism and said frame.

20. In an arc lamp, an electrode, a nonmetal arcing member, a metal arcing member, and means for moving said members sucmovable rectilinearly in one cessively across the end of said electrode in the feeding operation of the lamp.

21. In an arc lamp,-an electrode mounted a second electrode of these planes into' impact with the first electrode, said first electrode being formed with two contact surfaces, whereby when the electrodes are brought into engagement with each other at one point the swinging electrode is forced about one of its axes to engage with the other electrode at a second point, bringing the electrodes into engagement.

22. In an arc lamp, an electrode, a carbon block mounted to swing in two planes and formed with two distinct contact surfaces, and means for bringing the arcing end of the electrode into engagement with the block, whereby said block is swung about one of its axes to engage with the electrode at a point away from the arcing end thereof.

23. In an arc lamp, a pair of electrodes, one movable in two planes and the other in one of said planes, and means for causing the electrodes to be'brought into contact, whereto swing in two planes,

1 by when they are brought together a relative movement takes place which causes the electrodes to engage at a second point remote from'the first point of contact.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 11th day of March, 1904:.

WILLIAM S. WEEDON.

Witnesses:

BENJAMIN B. HULL, HELEN. ORFORD.

and means for g 

